The+Essential+-+Studio+Sessions

include component="page" page="content_legendott" wrap="1" editable="1" code Commercially released: November 11, 2003 (Executive) Producer: Jon Landau* code *see Brucebase session listings for the specific producers of the original/individual recordings

Part One - The Essential Sessions Overview

In early 2003 Sony Music approached the Springsteen camp requesting that a Springsteen release be part of its //Essential// series, a group of “best of - anthology” releases from major Sony and affiliate label artists that the company had been marketing (with good commercial results) for several years. Springsteen agreed to be part of the series. Unlike //Greatest Hits// (1995) or //Tracks// - //18 Tracks// (1998-9), the //Essential// release does not appear to have involved any associated recording sessions and very little, if any, additional mixing. So Springsteen’s involvement in this project was very minimal, which is evidenced by the fact that Jon Landau is credited as //Essential’s// sole Producer.

//Essential// is, at its heart, a two-CD, thirty-track package that culls cornerstone songs from all of Springsteen’s original studio albums (up through //The Rising//), as well as 2001’s //Live In New York City// package. It does not include any recordings from 1986’s //Live 1975-85// package or 1992’s //Live Plugged//. //Essential// is geared towards the new or casual Springsteen fan and offers a partially duplicated but slightly broader representation than the earlier //Greatest Hits// package. The third disc encompasses an additional twelve recordings of rarities - a mixture of b-sides, charity album releases, movie soundtrack items and previously un-issued studio or live recordings. The bonus CD was not included with some overseas issues, and was also dropped when the set was re-issued in Europe in 2011. Springsteen was the first artist in the //Essential// series that included such a bonus disc (i.e., the list price of the package is as per a two-CD set, not a three-CD set). The //Essential Bruce Springsteen// was re-issued in 2015 as a two-CD, thirty-seven track package, covering Springsteen's career from //Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.// to 2014's //High Hopes//. The set features remastered tracks not found elsewhere in Springsteen's catalogue.

Part Two - Bonus "Rarities" CD Information

code NOTE BELOW: # previously unreleased / ## previously unreleased alternate version / ### previously unreleased live version code

Part Three - The Essential Sessions Details

Please go to the individual session eras from which these tracks emanate for more details.

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